A/N: This is the chapter with the surprise. And what is the surprise? Fortune telling, of course! We have TenTen. And she has Tarot cards. I've been interested in Tarot quite a while ago, but I still own a deck and a small 'manual' to it. I've built the array according to this manual. The descriptions of the cards come from the cards in my deck (because they differ in various decks). I just thought that would be something different than usual story. It took me more than a half of the chapter. So I hope you will enjoy it.
And thank you all soooo much for those nice reviews!!! Oh I'm going to put even more effort to make this story worth of your positive opinions:D
Disclaimer: Don't own Naruto. Don't own the Tarot array.
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Chapter Four: Of cards, crystal balls and troublesome families
Sasuke woke up with an unpleasant feeling that there was someone undesired in his bed. When he opened his eyes, he realized why he felt so. A blonde boy was sleeping beside him, taking for himself three quarters of the bed. Sasuke frowned and gazed at him for a moment. Naruto smiled when he unconsciously sensed some movement in the bed.
"Sakura-chan…" he muttered.
Sasuke slowly cocked his head to the side, still staring at him. Then he unceremoniously pushed Naruto off the bed and took control over his half of it, wrapping himself in the cover.
Naruto landed on the floor with a loud thump and woke up that instant. He looked around confused and realized his position. He pulled himself up, supporting one arm on the bed, and saw the prince laying there with his back turned to him.
"Hey!" he shouted, making the prince scowl because of the sound. It was still early morning. "Did you push me off?"
"I did."
"And why the hell?"
"Is that a way you should adress a prince?" there was a tinge of pride and anger in his voice.
"I don't care if you are a prince or not! Why did you do this?"
"Because you almost pushed me off the bed yourself, you moron. I needed to defend myself."
Naruto crouched onto the bed and laid down with an offended expression.
"You're just an arrogant prince," he murmured to himself. "I can't understand what Sakura-chan sees in you."
"What are you muttering there?" asked Sasuke, though he could hear it quite clearly.
"Nothing!"
They talked no more. Soon Naruto fell asleep again, leaving the prince the only one awake. Sasuke took a long time gazing in the space. Sakura… At first he didn't mind her, she was just a village girl. Then, when Hinata-san disappeared, he was furious. But Sakura promised him help, and they finally found the princess. Sakura even literally crushed that Lee guy for having kidnapped her. And she seemed to get along with Hinata-san very well. He didn't actually think that she was really able to help them. And he was sure that her offer might not be that disinterested. He sighed quietly. She was quite pretty, he had to admit it, but…yet another fangirl…
So, sooo boring…
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"Here, Sakura-chan."
The table was prepared already. The two females sat at the opposite sides of it. TenTen started shuffling the cards.
"So, is it someone I know? It would make it easier. Do you have a picture or something?"
"No, I don't…" Sakura blushed a little. "But I guess you could say you know him… It's prince Sasuke."
She had to say that. TenTen smiled at her.
"You really are twisted, all of you. The princess doesn't want the prince, but a villager. And a village girl doesn't want her village friend, but the prince."
Sakura also smiled shyly. "Guess it's weird."
"No, it's not. It happens."
TenTen put the deck in front of Sakura. "Cut it into three, using your left hand."
Sakura did so. TenTen collected the parts in a reversed order. Then she spread them onto the table, reverse side up.
"Choose one. But think carefully."
Sakura looked at her. Then she took one card.
"Give it to me."
Sakura handed her the card. TenTen placed it on the table.
"It's called The Heart Card. Now choose another one."
Sakura did, and TenTen put it next to the other one. Then she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened her eyes, she chose one card as well.
"Now it's your turn," she said.
The girl picked another card, then TenTen did the same. She collected the cards and shuffled them once more.
"Why are you doing that again?" asked Sakura. Her emerald eyes betrayed just how much she was curious about this all. It was something new to her. She had never had her fortune foretold.
"It's necessary," TenTen answered simply. "Cut it again, the same way."
Sakura obeyed. TenTen collected it and with no random choosing, she took five cards from the surface of the deck. The rest she put aside.
"I'll tell you something about Tarot," she said. "The deck is divided into two parts. They are called Major Arcana and Minor Arcana. Usually, I use them both to tell fortune, but now I'm only going to use the Major Arcana. I did so in the princess' case."
"O…ok," said Sakura, not really sure how to comment on that.
"So, now we get started."
TenTen turned around the cards. It was only then when Sakura realized that they were placed on the table in the shape of a heart.
"TenTen-san, why are some of them upside down?" she asked, noticing that fact.
"Because I turned them like that when I was shuffling them. Didn't you notice?"
"No…I guess not. Why did you do it?"
"Because a card has a different meaning when it's upside down. That is why when shuffling, you turn half of them upside down and then you shuffle them again with the other ones."
"Oh, so that's the case…"
"Now we are going to interpret the array of those cards. Look, this is the first card that you've chosen. It depicts the relationship between you and prince Sasuke as for now."
The card was turned upside down. Sakura saw a woman standing in a circle. In the four corners of it there was a man, an eagle, an ox and a lion.
"It's the World," explained TenTen.
"And…what does it mean?"
"In this position it symbolizes imperfection, long waiting and blockade. In other words, you two cannot get together, because something stands between you. Something is in the way."
"What is it?"
"There are several options. It might be that you two have too different social positions. It can also mean that your feelings are undeveloped. Maybe the prince does not love you. Or he has not realized his feelings towards you yet. In any case, there is a problem that you need to get over with, if you want to be together."
She moved to another card.
"This is you."
A woman was sitting in a garden. She had a crown and a boquet of flowers in her hand. There was a dove sitting on a tree next to her.
"The Empress. You are kind and beautiful. You have much grace and would make a great mother. You never give up, you're decisive, but also gentle. If given a chance, you would be a good and caring caretaker. You are strong and fight to the end."
"I…I am all of those?" Sakura blinked, slightly blushing. TenTen smiled in response.
"Ask yourself."
The next card showed a king sitting on his throne, with his power insignia in hands. There was a castle in the background.
"It's the Emperor. It will tell us about prince Sasuke."
"Quite an accurate choice," smiled Sakura, remembering that this card was picked by TenTen.
"The Emperor is an imperious man, always dominating over other people. He is intelligent, strong, brave and determined. Being decisive and persistent, he never fails to reach his goal. But he is also a decent man, an honorable and just one. If there were someone under his care, he would protect them no matter what the cost."
"So this is what prince Sasuke is like…" wondered Sakura.
"The cards never lie. And I must say that it appears to me to be true, all this fits him well."
"If so, then he's even greater than I thought," said Sakura warmly. "He never shows any emotions towards anyone, exept maybe for some concern about Hinata-san. He's always so calm and composed…"
"He has a strong mind."
"And strong will."
"Let's see what we have next."
Two children holding their hands under the bright shining sun. The card was upside down.
"The Sun. It symbolizes your attitude towards prince Sasuke."
Sakura watched as TenTen deliberated on the card.
"The thing that you want is far away. You cannot reach it right now. You've met a cold welcome, that's why you're becoming pessimistic."
The girl dropped her gaze. TenTen spoke further:
"You've had hopes which failed you. You're confused and sad. However, your trouble is only temporary. It will get better if you try hard."
"Well," smiled Sakura. "I cannot give up. I'm the Empress."
"Yes, exactly. And the prince is an Emperor."
Sakura looked at both cards and then she realized something. "Hey! They are looking at each other! The Empress and the Emperor! I thought it was only coincidental, but…"
"You're right," nodded the fortune teller. "The two of them are considered to be a couple."
Sakura's eyes sparkled. "Ok, what is next?"
"The next card tells about Sasuke's attitude towards you."
Sakura straightened herself on the chair. So far it was the most interesting thing to hear.
The next card was also upside down. It showed a woman at the river bank, pouring some water into it. Above her there were stars. One of them was very big and bright.
"The Star. The prince feels unsure and anxious. He is confused and needs someone to guide him. Right now he walks a dark path and that is why he cannot see the truth. He needs a guiding star. It can be you," she smiled at Sakura. "He does not know what the future will bring to him. He's tired of waiting and blinded by confusion."
"So…what does this mean?" asked Sakura carefully.
"It can be that he doesn't realize yet that he likes you."
"Really?" her eyes glowed with hope.
"It's one of the possibilities. Let's find out if you two can get together or not."
A wheeling circle. Under it there was a sitting man clothed in a brown hooded cloak. On the circle there was a monkey, a rat, and on the top some kind of a demon looking animal. At the sides of the circle – the moon and the sun. The Wheel of Fortune.
"You're lucky, Sakura-chan," smiled TenTen.
"Why?"
"This card symbolizes good fortune and a happy change. You're aiming for something. It is highly likely that you will achieve it. It can be an effect either of your efforts or…"
"Or…?" she was more and more curious.
"Or it can be fate."
"So…does it mean that I'm destinied to be with Sasuke-san?"
"Maybe," her smile got mysterious. "Remember, the cards don't lie."
"I'm… I can't believe it…"
"I said you're lucky. Ok, let's check what could help you two in pairing up. These are the things that can affect your relationship from the outside."
She showed her the seventh card. There was no doubt who was sitting on the throne this time.
"The Devil?" asked Sakura with fear. "Does it not mean evil and misfortune?"
"Yes, but turned upside down it symbolizes victory over those. There might be someone plotting against you or him. However, the two of you will outwit him and you'll win. The prince, regarding his position, might be under some evil influences. He'll need to break out of those. Maybe it will be you who will rescue him, maybe someone else. The sure thing is that it will help you with your plans as concerns him," she smiled at the girl. "Truth and good will reign over evil. You need to take good care of each other to avoid any mistakes. You must not give up, remember?"
Sakura nodded. Another card was also upside down, and just as much terrifying as the previous one.
"Death."
"But it's turned upside down, isn't it? Doesn't it have a positive meaning that way, just like the Devil?"
"No, my dear. Death is different. Like this, it means tragedy, death and grief. Maybe someone will die or get seriously ill. You are going to face weighty probems and probably sorrow and loneliness. It will be something that will need a drastic solution to get it over with. Be prepared."
"Is someone going to get killed?" asked terrified Sakura.
"It might be so."
"Me? Or Sasuke-san?"
"I can't tell. But this will be probably your responsibility. This card symbolizes the things that can influence your relationship from the inside."
Sakura gasped quietly. The next card, upside down, depicted two wolves howling to the moon. It was dark and gloomy. In the river nearby there were two fish and a crayfish.
"The Moon. The card shows the near future after all the previously described events."
"And what does it say?"
"It is a fight with problems and difficulties. A successful one. It means that help will arrive in time. You will win over the problems and free yourselves from them. The realization will come just in time. Maybe you will receive some useful advice as for what to do next. Disturbances are to be eliminated and sicknesses are to be healed. The demon will give in to you. Only then will you see the Truth."
"So…is everything going to be ok?"
"Let's see the last card. It will tell us the ultimate result of everything."
Sakura's heart started beating faster as they looked at the last card. There was a man and a woman facing each other. A small angel was in the sky above them. Flowers blossomed all over the place they stood in. TenTen grinned. This time the card was not turned upside down.
"Do you know what this is?" she asked Sakura. The girl shook her head.
"It's the sixth card in the Major Arcana, the Lovers."
Sakura looked up at her, her eyes wide open.
"Do I have to explain what this means?"
"Happy love?" whispered Sakura. TenTen nodded.
"Exactly."
Nothing could compare to Sakura's sweet, happy smile.
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"What are you doing here?" asked Sasuke, walking in five minutes later. He glanced over the table and quirked an eyebrow. Sakura blushed, but TenTen seemes unaffected.
"Little fortune telling," she smiled at him.
"Whatever," he rolled his eyes. "Weren't you supposed to help us instead of playing some stupid card games?"
"I decided to gaze into the crystal ball," said TenTen, collecting the cards. "The situation is kinda unclear to me."
"Do you really think that a crystal ball could help us?" Sasuke looked at her as if he thought she was crazy.
"I'll do it anyway, whether with your approval or not."
"And you?" the prince turned to Sakura.
"I think it would be best to trust TenTen-san. She has the talent. And when we get more information on the matter, we can think more effectively of the solution."
It wasn't the answer he awaited.
"Could you gather all people here?" TenTen adressed Sasuke. "I'll look into the ball right away."
He shrugged, but went to fulfill the request. Several minutes later everyone circled the table. TenTen put the crystal ball in the middle and asked them to be quiet unless she asked them any questions. Then she rubbed the ball with her left hand and fized her gaze on it. The rest watched her attentively, but they couldn't see anything inside the ball.
TenTen raised her eyebrows.
"I see two people talkin. Two men actually… They both have black hair. One of them has white eyes…just like you, princess."
"Neji-nii-chan!" exclaimed Hinata.
"And the second one has a ponytail and black eyes. He looks older than the first one. Well he must be young, but I can see two long wrinkles on the sides of his nose…"
"Nii-san…" said Sasuke in surprise.
"It can be. He resembles you a lot. They are talking…be quiet, please. I need to hear it."
"You can hear what's inside a crystal ball?!" asked Naruto, but Sakura put a hand over his mouth to keep it shut.
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"Sasuke is becoming suspicious," said Itachi. "I need to do something with him to keep him busy. Otherwise he'll stick his nose into my business, which is quite hazardous."
"Let's say I have an idea," smirked Neji.
"What kind of an idea?"
"You know my cousin, Hinata, don't you?"
"Yeah, I remember her. So what?"
"Her father wants her to get married to a rich nobleman from our country. But for the time being it's just an idea…which can be altered any time. Hinata doesn't know anything yet."
"I don't care about your cousin's wedding."
"Maybe you should. It was me who gave my uncle this idea. Because if she gets married, she won't have time to be a queen. She's not fit to be a queen anyways. So then I could convince the king that I'm a better candidate to inherit the throne."
"I still don't see what is has to do with me and Sasuke."
"Let's say she doesn't marry that nobleman, but Sasuke."
Itachi raised his eyebrows. "Sasuke?"
"Think about it," Neji's smirk grew wider. "They are the same age, aren't they? You could tell your father that this marriage would tighten the relationship with our kingdom. It would assure peace. Then, being Hinata's husband, Sasuke would have too much to worry about to watch over your dirty business."
"And then he wouldn't notice any of my plan," Itachi smirked as well. "Good, I must say."
"After killing your parents and becoming the king, will you kill him as well?"
"I don't know. I like him. Besides, I don't think he could present any threat to me. I guess I'll spare his life."
"Do as you like."
"I'd never thought becoming a king would be that easy."
"You know, you'd be a king anyway, after your father's death."
"And how long do you think I could wait for that?"
"I understand you."
"Why don't you kill your uncle as well? It would be faster."
"I'd have to kill my uncle and aunt, Hinata and my parents. Too many people. I'll just wait. Besides, I'm still too young. You're a few years older, so that's no problem for you."
"True. Well then, shall we carry out our little 'marriage plan'?"
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"Are you sure this is what you've heard?" asked Sakura.
"I'm sorry, but the ball doesn't lie."
Hinata couldn't beieve her own ears. "Neji-nii-chan…"
Sasuke clenched his fists. "I knew I couldn't trust him… But to kill our parents, to make me marry Hinata-san…"
He raised his head. There was a determined look in his black eyes. "He'll regret it. I'll make sure of it."
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A/N: So this is the secret reason for the marriage. And how did you like the surprise? Tell me in your reviews.
And sorry to all of you who are NejixTen fans... Not this time. This has to be that way, you know.
'Till the next chapter!